Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has been called up by Morocco for the fixtures against Senegal and Democratic of Congo next month despite still being injured.
At his press conference yesterday, manager Frank Lampard confirmed the 27-year-old won’t be available for the match against Crystal Palace as he continues to recover from a knee problem.
Ziyech has yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues and it appears likely that his first game of the season could be on international duty. Fans on Twitter are not very happy about the situation:
It's honestly a joke.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) October 2, 2020
ffs we should force him to stay, he isnt fully fit and those are freaking friendlies.
— Marcin (@preak1337) October 2, 2020
May well remain at Cobham. If he was involved tomorrow, difficult to justify pulling him out of the International squad.
— Ian (@OnsideLTD) October 2, 2020
I loathe international breaks. This is another reason why.
— James A. Young (@jamesallanyoung) October 2, 2020
A player who's not fit enough to play for his club side shouldn't be called up or fit for international duties. Except maybe there's something they aren't telling us.
— T R N (@flexdada) October 2, 2020
I hate how is this allowed, it was the same with Kante last year
— Jamie (@CFCJem) October 2, 2020
Shades of Kante?
— Sosa?? (@SaucedoSomeres) October 2, 2020
Hope he’s not forced to play and aggravate his injury ?. Being at Cobham would have been the best option.
— Mohan Nair (@Mohan_Nair19) October 2, 2020
Big joke.
— Uche Jegbefume (@jaustinuche) October 2, 2020
What nonsense…
— SHOLAY☀️?????️???? (@Kingschurrley) October 2, 2020
Some may argue that the two matches for Morocco will allow Ziyech to regain his fitness but there is also a risk he could pick up another issue if he returns to action too quickly.
Chelsea’s doctors will know a lot more about the winger’s fitness than Morocco’s and the concern is that his national team may not be as careful in managing his injury.